Prof. Bujnicki’s action specifically targets inexperienced scientists, whose applications for funding of scientific projects have been denied with critical reviews and who have problems with addressing that criticism. The main idea is to identify projects based on good ideas, which were underappreciated, and provide help of experts to support the authors towards the development of better grant applications. Prof. Bujnicki promised to carry out this project during the 'Poles with verve' national plebiscite.
'More Good Science' action consists of three stages:
1. Meetings in small and medium-sized academic centers in Poland (in February and the first half of March 2014). Prof. Bujnicki intends to introduce basic rules and “dos and don’ts” pertinent to grant applications, in particular with respect to basic research and grant programs offered by the Polish National Science Centre to junior and mid-career scientists. Currently, preliminary arrangements are being made for visits in Częstochowa, Siedlce, Szczecin, Olsztyn, and Białystok.
2. Workshops/consultations in Warsaw (in the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology), during which the participants will discuss their (previously unsuccessful) grant applications and reviews with experts in their fields, namely scientists with significant experience in writing and evaluating grant applications in Poland. This stage will take place in April/May, with the intention to finalize the work on improvement of grant proposals e.g. for the National Science Centre within Preludium, Sonata and Opus recruitment contest, which will last till 17 June 2014.
Workshops recruitment will be conducted online via Prof. Bujnicki’s laboratory website, on the basis of grant application summary and information about its assessment. The details of recruitment will be announced after the completion of the first stage of the projects (local meetings).
3. Potential second series of consultations, following the evaluation of proposals submitted in stage 2 (as many of these are expected not to be funded despite the authors’ work towards improvement).